Consumer Radios

A year ago we launched the Wouxun KG-805G GMRS radio. Its popularity confirmed for us that there is a market for high end, professional grade GMRS equipment. We're taking the next step and applying the principals that led to the KG-805G to a mobile radio. Today, we're announcing the Wouxun KG-1000G Professional Mobile GMRS Radio.

When we started the process that led to creating the KG-1000G, our goal was to end up with a GMRS mobile radio that didn't require any compromises. Looking at other GMRS mobiles that are available, it seemed that no matter what, choosing one feature means giving up another. We think that what we ended up with in the KG-1000G has it all, and we truly believe that it is now the best mobile GMRS radio in the world.

Let's take a look at some of the key features of the KG-1000G.

Power

Power is, of course, a key component of any radio as it directly contributes to the range of the radio. The FCC has set limits within the GMRS defining the maximum power for each channel, and it was important to us that the KG-1000G be able to deliver the maximum power allowed. Maximum power is also not always necessary, so the flexibility to switch to a lower power output when necessary is key.

The KG-1000G will transmit at up to 50 watts on high power and 5 watts on low power. Medium power is adjustable and can be set to either 10 or 20 watts.

Display and Installation Options

A current dilema with GMRS users seems to be, "Do I select a lower powered radio that is smaller and easier to install in a vehicle, or a full size high powered radio that's more difficult to mount?" No doubt vehicle installation options are a big concern, as newer vehicles in particular are leaving fewer options for clean installs.

The KG-1000G provides the best of both worlds. It's a high powered, full size radio but has a detachable faceplate. The faceplate can be removed from the radio and mounted in a remote location. This allows you to, for example, hide the radio body away in a trunk or under a seat while mounting the display within view of the driver. A remote display extension cable is used to connect the faceplate to the body and is included with the radio.

The flexibility of the KG-1000G display doesn't end there. The angle of the display can be adjusted even when attached to the radio by using the included adapters. By default the display is angled upward at around 30 degrees. This can be adjusted to have the display face straight ahead, or downward at 30 degrees.

Dual Display and Dual Watch

The display is divided into two separate areas, essentially making the KG-1000G two radios in one. Each side of the display can monitor a separate channel or frequency, with its own volume control and settings. Each side can also perform other functions, such as a channel scan, so you could monitor a channel on one side while scanning on the other. There are other radios that offer this feature, but the KG-1000G makes it simple and intuitive to use.

NOAA Mode

When we made the decision to offer NOAA weather channel support, we wanted it to be easy to use. Other radios may require weather channels be added as just another channel in the channel list. This is inconvenient, as you have to tune away from your primary channel. The KG-1000G has a NOAA weather mode. Simply hold the BAND key for a couple of seconds and weather mode is activated, instantly tuning your last weather channel. Hold BAND again and you're back where you started.

Wide RX Range and Frequency (VFO) Mode

As a GMRS radio, the KG-1000G is only allowed to transmit on the frequencies that are part of the GMRS. However, that does not limit the frequencies that can be received or monitored. The KG-1000G can receive on any frequency in the following ranges: 50-53.995, 108-179.995, 320-349.995, 400-479.995 and 700-985 MHz. Included in that range are airband frequencies where AM is often used, and the KG-1000G can even auto-detect and demodulate AM!

With such a wide receive range it would be a shame if non-GMRS frequencies had to be programmed in as channels before they could be accessed. The KG-1000G supports Frequency Mode to allow you to use the channel knob to tune a frequency directly. If you find a frequency that you want to save for later, a channel can be added and named directly through the menu. Up to 999 channels are supported.

Repeater Channels and Tone support

Of course the KG-1000G has the 8 GMRS repeater channels built-in, but if you use multiple repeaters with the same frequency and different tones you can add additional repeater channels. You can even do it directly through the radio without using programming software.

Full CTCSS and DCS support is provided, including custom tones. You can assign a different tone to receive and transmit, commonly referred to as "split tones". Even better, the KG-1000G supports CTCSS/DCS tone scan, allowing you to detect the tone of incoming transmissions and automatically set the tone on the current channel to match.

Repeater Mode

Two KG-1000G's can be paired to become a fully legal GMRS repeater! Link two radios using a repeater cable (included) and you're running your own 50 watt GMRS repeater! This is great for those who need an occasional repeater while on the go, or even for those looking for a more permanent repeater at a value price.

Full Featured Hand Microphone

The hand microphone that is included with the KG-1000G is backlit, includes a loud speaker with separate volume control, and provides quick access to many radio features.

Classic Circuit

Wouxun says the KG-1000G is built using a "classic radio circuit", but what they mean to do is differentiate their products from many lower quality radios being built today. Often radios are built using "radio-on-a-chip" technology that makes them inexpensive to produce, but often inferior in sound quality and receive sensitivity. The KG-1000G is a "real" radio, with a superheterodyne receiver, built in the same way as expensive professional radios made by large manufacturers.

Legal For GMRS

The Wouxun KG-1000G is FCC approved for both parts 95E (GMRS) and 15B (scanning). The FCC ID number is WVTWOUXUN20

Availability

The KG-1000G just received it's FCC approval last Friday (11/20) and we are expecting our initial shipment to arrive during the week of December 7-11. We are accepting pre-orders at this time. Our first shipment is limited in quantity. If our orders exceed the number of units that we are expecting in this shipment, we will stop taking orders until the date of our next shipment is more certain.

We recommend pairing the KG-1000G with a Nagoya NL-770G GMRS Antenna and a Nagoya RB-MJPL Strong Magnetic Mount Base, although there are other antenna options available that will work fine. The Wouxun KG-1000G is available for pre-order at $319.99. Click here for full details, or to place an order.

It has been almost a year since we announced the Wouxun KG-805G GMRS and KG-805M MURS radios. We've been thrilled with the response these models have received, and are ready to announce a new addition to the KG-805 family: the Wouxun KG-805F license free FRS radio!

The Wouxun KG-805F is a very high quality radio that is full-featured and easy to use. It's compatible right out of the box with other FRS and GMRS radios, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a higher quality FRS radio than those typically built for this service.

The KG-805F is also an option for businesses. While we typically recommend that businesses buy radios designed for business frequencies, it is completely legal to use FRS radios and no license is required. We often hear from businesses who have bought a significant number of low quality FRS radios and are unhappy with the durability. The Wouxun KG-805F is a good option for these companies. Their compatibility with other FRS models means a company can replace their radios one at a time as they break instead of replacing the entire fleet at once with business radios.

Antenna Choices

The FCC requires that FRS radios have non-removable antennas. We couldn't decide if most of our customers would prefer a standard sized antenna or a shorter one, so we decided to offer both!

The KG-805F is available in two versions: the KG-805F with a standard length antenna, and the KG-805FS with a shorter 'stubby' antenna. The standard antenna will offer improved range, but the stubby is a nice option for shorter range situations where users can get away with a more compact radio. Choose your preferred version from the drop-down list on our product page.

Comparison to the KG-805G GMRS Edition

The Wouxun KG-805F is essentially the same radio as the KG-805G with a few tweaks that make it compatible with the Family Radio Service (FRS): the repeater channels have been removed, the power is reduced to a maximum of 2 watts, and the antenna is no longer removable. Essentially with the KG-805F you are giving up power and repeater capabilities in exchange for not having to purchase a license.

FCC Approved and Available Now

The Wouxun KG-805F is FCC approved and is a fully legal FRS radio. If you're in the market for a high quality, license free UHF radio, we think you'll be thrilled with this model. Both the KG-805F and the KG-805FS are in stock and available to ship now! As always, we look forward to hearing any of your thoughts or feedback.

If you are interested in obtaining a General Mobile Service or GMRS radio license, but have put it off because of the gradually rising fees, good news may be on the horizon. The FCC recently proposed to amend the schedule of application fees on many of the radio services. While this could mean huge hikes in fees for amateur radio license, it may also bring about a considerable reduction in license fees for the GMRS!

In this short excerpt from Episode 151 of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast, Danny, Anthony and Rick discuss the proposal to lower the GMRS license fee and why this could be great for the GMRS in the future.

For details on the proposal, read the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, MD Docket No. 20-270.

We have a wide selection of FCC approved GMRS Two Way Radios available at Buy Two Way Radios.

Audiogram excerpt from Episode 151 of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast - MURS radios from Dakota Alert!

For years the market for the Multi-Use Radio Service or MURS was vastly underrated, and greatly underserved. This license-free service is a great and powerful alternative for users of both business and consumer radios seeking an alternative to the expense and hassle of obtaining and maintaining a radio license. Yet the availability and selection of MURS radios has left much to be desired. It was, that is, until now.

This year we've worked hard to bring more of MURS radios our customers. Our line of MURS products now includes models such as the Motorola RMM2050, Ritron MURS callboxes, intercoms and base stations and the new, exciting Wouxun KG-805M. And now we have more great news. We've just signed on as an authorized dealer for Dakota Alert!

Here is an overview of the Dakota Alert products now available from Buy Two Way Radios.

Dakota Alert M-538HT MURS Handheld Two Way Radio
The M538-HT is small, yet capable MURS handheld transceiver that is capable of operating on all five MURS frequencies. It supports 38 CTCSS tones and is compatible with MURS radios on the market. It features a removeable antenna, LCD display, tone alert and a built-in speaker with ample volume.

This handy talkie is powered by 6AA rechargeable batteries and can be used for business or personal activities. I'ts backed by a one year manufacturer warranty from Dakota Alert. Best of all, it's license-free! Price: $84.99

Dakota Alert M-538BS 2-Way MURS Base Station
The M538-BS is a bona fide MURS base station that sits on a counter, shelf or desktop for quick and easy access to any other MURS station within range. It has five MURS channels, 38 sub-channels and tone alert that activates when an alert signal is received. to help you communicate freely with other users in your group.

The M538BS has an adjustable antenna, LCD display, and internal speaker. It operates on AC power so you can monitor communications 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, without the need to recharge. It also features a relay output for operation with alarm panels, doorbells and other types of alert systems.

The M-438HT and M538-BS are designed to receive alert signals from the Dakota Alert MURS Alert™ Transmitter, which is sold separately. This can be used to build out a security alert, motion detection or home monitoring system around the parimeter of a business of home. Price: $74.99

MURS-HT-KIT
This package combines a MURS Alert™ infrared transmitter and handheld two way radio into one convenient kit for a complete, monitoring system. The MURS Alert™ transmitter is a passive infrared sensor that you can place or mount virtually anywhere to monitor movement or any activity in and around your property or domain. When the sensor detects any motion, it sends an alert to the MURS handheld radio.
You can program the transmitter to send one of four pre-programmed alert messages in English. This allows you to add on more transmitter units as needed to create up to four different zones. Price: $189.99

MURS-BS-KIT
This is essentially the same bundle as the MURS-HT-KIT, but with the base station unit instead of the portable handheld radio. The handheld radio is a good option when mobile or roaming the property, but this one is preferred when you are stationary inside a home or building in an office, security station or front desk.

You can also add on additional MURS Alert™ transmitters, handhelds and base station units to this package to expand your monitoring system as needed. It's extremely flexible, and as a wireless security solution that is also license-free, it's an economical one, as well. Price: $179.99

What makes the Wouxun KG-805G and KG-805M professional grade? They are powerful, rugged and easy to program from a PC!

In this video tutorial, Rick from Buy Two Way Radios shows you how easy it is to program the Wouxun KG-805 from a computer using the Wouxun KG-805 programming software. These instructions work for the KG-805G GMRS and KG-805M MURS radios.

Want to learn how to program the KG-805 directly from the keypad of the radio? Watch here! Browse our video blog and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more great videos!

The Wouxun KG-805G and KG-805M are very powerful, professional grade radios for personal use. Both are also user programmable and most of their features can be easily configured on the fly.

In this video tutorial, Rick from Buy Two Way Radios gives you an overview of the controls and shows you how to program the Wouxun KG-805 directly from the keypad of the radio. These instructions work for the KG-805G GMRS and KG-805M MURS radios.

Overview of the Controls

Menu Options

• 1. Squelch Level Setting
• 2. Power Save Function
• 3.Roger Beep Setting
• 4. Timeout Timer
• 5. VOX
• 6. Transmit Overtime Alarm
• 7. Voice Prompt Setting
• 8. Beep Prompt Setting
• 9. Power On Message
• 10. Busy Channel Lockout
• 11. Keypad Auto Lock
• 12. Receive CTCSS Setting
• 13. Transmit CTCSS Setting
• 14. Receive DCS Setting
• 15. Transmit DCS Setting
• 16. Scan Mode Setting
• 17. Programmable Key Setting
• 18. Alarm Button Setting
• 19. Channel Display Mode
• 20. Standby Backlight Color Setting
• 21. Receive Backlight Color Setting
• 22. Transmit Backlight Color Setting
• 23. Edit Channel Name

Want more videos about 2-way radios? Browse our video blog and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Many of our customers have longed for a true GMRS radio with the power, versatility and ruggedness of a business transceiver. Others wanted more options for a license-free MURS radio at a more reasonable price point. Now, they're here. Take a look at the Wouxun KG-805 Series two way radios!

In this video, Rick from Buy Two Way Radios introduces the new KG-805G and KG-805M radios, lists all of their exciting features and shows why this new radio series will change the game for users of the GMRS and MURS.

Want more videos about 2-way radios? Browse our video blog and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

We often stress the importance of having an emergency weather radio for your personal safety and preparedness. These devices are proven to be invaluable in case of a severe weather event such as a hurricane, tornado or flood. But did you know they can alert you to other types of local and national civil emergencies as well? They can! Emergency radios can receive alerts for a number of non-weather related events, including pandemics such as the Coronavirus or COVID-19 emergency currently gripping much of the world in the year 2020.

The NOAA Weather All Hazards system extends nationwide across the US through a network of over 1000 radio transmitters operated by the National Weather Service. It exists primarily to broadcast weather warnings, but is also capable of sending out warnings through the Emergency Alert System, or EAS, related to public safety and national security. The list ranges from AMBER Alerts to tsunamis, and many others in between. The list also includes, of course, a pandemic alert. (It does not, however, include a zombie alert.)

The NOAA Weather Radio, or NWR system covers all 50 United States, US coastal areas, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Territories. It broadcasts on seven frequencies in the VHF public service band.

• 162.400 MHz
• 162.425 MHz
• 162.450 MHz
• 162.475 MHz
• 162.500 MHz
• 162.525 MHz
• 162.550 MHz

A NOAA All Hazards weather radio is capable of receiving weather and other emergency alerts on these frequencies, including Local Area Emergency (LAE) alerts, Civil Emergency Message (CEM) alerts, and Civil Danger Warning (CDW) alerts. Some weather radios such as the Midland WR-120 and WR-400 also feature Specific Area Messaging Encoding technology, or SAME, so some of these alerts can be targeted for your specific local area.

A NOAA weather radio can receive more than just weather related warnings, but that's not the end of the story. This isn't limited to just emergency weather radios. Any base, mobile or handheld walkie talkie equipped with NOAA weather channels and weather alerts can also receive pandemic alerts. This includes business, CB, FRS, GMRS, amateur (ham), airband and marine two way radios. Yes, scanners can receive them too! If your radio can pick up weather alerts, it can also pick up a pandemic alert.

Some popular two way transcievers with NOAA weather channels and alerts include the Motorola RMV2080 business radio, Uniden BearTracker 885 CB radio, the Motorola Talkabout T280 FRS radio, Midland GXT1000 GMRS radio, the Cobra ACXT545 FRS radio, the Icom IC-M36 and Cobra MR-HH350-FLT marine radios, and the Icom A16 Air Band Radio.

That's not the entire list, either. Not even close. You can find a plethora of walkie talkies and other radios equipped with built-in NOAA weather channels and weather alerts at Buy Two Way Radios. Don't wait for the next emergency or pandemic to prepare. Be sure your next two way radio includes NOAA emergency weather channels and alerts.

While we certainly hope this scenario isn't the case for you, it is an important one to address. In the event that someone in your family contracts the virus and needs to be isolated within the home, you will need a way to communicate back and forth and monitor the situation while maintaining the necessary protocols of quarantine. This is a situation in which walkie talkies could prove to be an absolute necessity.

Isolating one or more family members within the confines of a home is not as simple as it sounds. It puts the entire family at risk. Recent studies have shown that a simple cough can eject micro droplets so small and light, they can hang around in a room with little or no cross-ventilation for hours, or even days, as illustrated in this video. Even normal speech can distribute such micro droplets within a short distance from the speaker.

Considering this, the international recommendation for social distancing at a minimum of six feet or more makes perfect sense when in a public space. The problem is, the practice isn't always practical in a home environment. Since it is common for someone with an illness to be confined to bed in a room inside their apartment or home, the air in that room will fill with those micro droplets quickly, and unless there is plenty of cross-ventilation, those particles won't go away for a long, long awhile. While you should obviously provide care for the afflicted individual, it is also important to minimize unnecessary contact at the same time. You really don't want to go in there just to chat.

Staying at home to distance yourself from the rest of the world is one thing. Isolating someone from the rest of the household is a more complicated matter. Obviously, the less direct contact you have with this person, the better, but how can you do this and still communicate with one another?

The simple solution is to use radios. Using walkie talkies to communicate with an isolated individual can help everyone cope with the situation. Here are five ways walkie talkies can help when you're quarantined with an illness.

Radios can help the quarantined patient communicate with you.
The first and most obvious way to use these walkie talkies is to simply set one at the bedside of the patient in quarantine, and keep the other one for use by the caregiver(s) outside the quarantined area. When one party wants to talk with the other, just press the Push-To-Talk (PTT) button and, well, talk. Pretty simple stuff. And you can expand your communications from there. You can provide radios to everyone in every area of the home, so they can all practice proper social distancing and assist with the home quarantine operations as needed.

Radios such as the Midland T31VP and Cobra ACXT145 have a Call Alert or Call Tone feature that allows the patient to signal when he or she wants to talk. When the call button is pressed, the radio sends an audible alert tone to the other radios within range, much like when a phone rings to indicate a call is received and is waiting to be answered. Some radios have a single tone, while other models such as the Midland LXT633 may have 5 or more. The Midland X-Talker T75 has 10 selectable call tones, five of which are animal sounds. The Motorola T265 has as many as 20!

Models like the Midland GXT1000 even have a whisper feature, which can give the quarantined patient the ability to call for assistance without having to raise their voice. This could be crucial, and can make deliveries of their food, water, and medical needs more efficient.

Walkie Talkies can assist with monitoring the quarantined patient.
If the patient is too sick or weak to physically operate a transceiver on their own, that patient will need to be monitored. This is anther area where walkie talkies may be able to help. The Midland T51VP3, Motorola Talkabout T402, Cobra ACXT345 and many other radios include a feature called Voice Activated Transmit, or VOX. When VOX is activated, the radio will be in a "listen mode" and automatically transmit any sound picked up by the microphone to the other radios. For instance, if the patient calls out for assistance, it can activate the radio to transmit. In this way the radio can be used hands-free.

There are some caveats to this. VOX doesn't just activate by voice. It can be activated by any noise it picks up, any noise at all. If the patient is in a very quiet room, it may not be an issue. However, if there is anything else in the room that can generate noise, such as a TV, cell phone, or fan, it could be problematic, as the noise generated by any of those devices could also trigger the radio to transmit. This can sometimes be mitigated by adjusting the sensitivity settings for VOX in the radio, but will require quite a bit of trial and error.

Also, there is usually a delay between the moment the sound is emitted and the time it takes for the radio to hear the sound and begin to transmit. This could be up to several seconds, depending on the radio, the VOX circuitry, and its setting. The delay can result in the first part of a transmission being clipped and not heard by the recipient. This is normal and can sometimes be minimized somewhat by playing around with the VOX sensitivity settings, but not entirely eliminated. It's not a perfect science, but it is possible to use VOX to monitor the audio in a room in certain circumstances and under the right conditions.

Radios can help you communicate with everyone else inside and outside the quarantined area.
Walkie Talkies allow everyone in the home to be separated and keep it all together at the same time, both figuratively and literally speaking. When one person or group is required to remain separated from another, walkie talkies keep everyone in both groups communicating in order to co-ordinate and maintain the necessary parameters for distancing within the domicile. This is especially important, as it can help to avoid cross contamination between the assigned spaces of those who are ill and those who are not.

Radios can transmit fast, instant alerts to the entire household.
Need to send an urgent message or alert to others in the home while avoiding direct contact with them? Walkie talkies can do that, too. The Motorola T480  and T600 are equipped with an emergency alert feature that allows you to signal everyone within range of an urgent matter or situation that requires their immediate attention. This can be especially useful if the quarantined patient takes a turn for the worse and needs medical attention or a trip to the hospital. It is important to understand that the emergency alert feature is not a substitute for calling 9-1-1 and it should not be misconstrued as such. It is not connected to any emergency system. It is merely intended for sending an alert to other family members in the household who are monitoring the patient that he or she may be in some distress or in urgent need of assistance.

Radios can provide a measure of comfort and security for the patient.
Let's face it, when someone is sick, they aren't just physically ill. The effects of quarantine and confinement is also an emotional and mental strain. The isolation can bring on feelings of loneliness and depression, which only adds to the physical discomfort or pain. Simply having a radio by the bedside can actually be psychologically beneficial, because they know can can call instantly, at the mere push of a button, and someone else in the household is likely to respond in kind. It symbolizes that even though no one can be in the same room, next to them, someone is nearby, monitoring them, and they are not truly alone. That is a very powerful and positive message, transmitted by the mere presence of a radio, without even pushing a button.

It is our hope that this pandemic ends soon for everyone's sake, and everyone currently stuck at home or quarantined with the virus recovers completely and quickly so we can all resume our normal activities of life. However, if you do find yourself or your family in isolation, there are ways to help ease the stress of confinement, improve the quality of caregiving, and mitigate the risk to others by using reliable and efficient two way radio communications. Buy Two Way Radios can provide you with the guidance and recommendations needed to do this safely, effectively and at minimal cost.

There are many different ways you can use two-way radios or walkie talkies to make life easier and less stressful, especially during an emergency such as the 2020 pandemic. With much of the country under a stay-at-home order, we would like to share some of the ways you can use two-way radios to make your quarantine safer, more efficient, and maybe even a little bit more enjoyable. Here are three ways walkie talkies can help when you're stuck at home.

Two-way radios can provide quick and easy communication between family members throughout the house. Maybe you are WFH or working from home in a secluded area of your domicile for privacy, and your spouse wants to let you know that lunch will be ready in a few minutes. A pair of handheld FRS radios such as the Midland X-Talker T31VP can quickly and easily accomplish this feat with minimal interruption, and without having to take anyone's eyes off the kids. Perhaps mom and dad need a break, so they send the kids outside to play in the yard to enjoy a day of no school and beautiful spring weather. When play time is over, calling them back inside for their studies or for a meal is a breeze with a small walkie talkie like the Cobra ACXT145 or Motorola T100 in tow!

Walkie talkies can be used as a source of entertainment for both children and parents alike! For most kids right now, the quarantine life is getting really old, and cabin fever is setting in. Many are missing their neighborhood pals and play dates. With social distancing regulations and stay-at-home orders still active for most states, a set of FRS radios such as the Midland T20 may help kids stay in touch with their friends nearby. The T20 radios are also available in a convenient and economical four pack, each with a different color, so each kid can be assigned their own color coded radio. We realize that there are many different technologies out there to keep kids connected, but one of the advantages of using such a radio system is that it won't bog down the bandwidth while mom and dad are working remotely. Plus, the radio airwaves are free to use! Ultimately, it's a win/win for both sides!

Even though FRS radios may be license-free, easy to use, and cost-effective, they aren't mere toys, and they aren't just for kids. Take the Motorola TALKABOUT T280, for instance. This general purpose radio is also designed for emergency use, with 11 weather channels and NOAA weather alerts. The ease of instant push-to-talk communications over free airwaves make these and other FRS walkie talkies very efficient and cost effective for entire families to communicate with neighbors down the street at anytime, for just about anything. And it does all of this while maintaining the mandated protocol of proper social distancing!

Buy Two Way Radios is here to help with your quarantine needs, and even though our sales staff is also working remotely, our warehouse is still up and running with no delays on shipments. Please feel free to give us a call at 1-800-584-1445, and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Thanks, and stay safe!